Pipe hanger

ABSTRACT

A pipe hanger assembly for suspension from an associated spacing member extending from a support structure. The hanger assembly includes a generally continuous loop member configured to receive an associated pipe therein. Extending legs on the loop member each include first and second arcuate portions defining interlocking means. The interlocking means are designed to engage an opposed leg and receive an interconnecting member therethrough. The interconnecting member operatively engages the spacing member and has a radially extending flange defining a shoulder for abutting engagement with the loop member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to the art of devices for hanging pipes or thelike and more particularly to self-locking pipe hangers. The inventionis particularly applicable to a unitary bent member and will bedescribed with particular reference thereto. However, it will beappreciated that the invention has broader applications and may beadvantageously employed in other environments and applications.

Pipe hangers of the type to which this invention pertain have ordinarilyincluded a pair of separate, cooperating members designed to support anassociated pipe along a predetermined circumferential portion. Thecooperating portions are interlocked at two separate regions, one at aregion disposed beneath the pipe and the second region at an area spacedtherefrom, usually above the pipe. U. S. Pat. No. 2,996,274 to Marik, etal. issued Aug. 15, 1961 is exemplary of this type of structure.

The pipe hanger shown in U. S. Pat. No. 4,440,369 to Banks issued Apr.3, 1984 illustrates a wire-type structure that cooperates with aseparate member at outer ends of separate leg portions. Wire structuresincorporated into a pipe hanger assembly have necessarily required aseparate member for attaching the outer leg portions or have relied ondeformation of the wire member to lockingly engage the supportstructure. The small cross-sectional area of the wire structures hasprevented application of the locking or retaining structure of theband-like hangers to the wire. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,261,580issued to Schauster on July 19, 1966 shows a generally U-shaped bandmember in which outer leg portions cooperate with a separate nut memberto support a pipe from a hanger rod or stud. On the other hand, theband-like hangers are more expensive due to the amount of stock materialrequired to form the band.

Although these prior art devices have met with some success, it stillremains a primary concern that the pipes are reliably supported andremain supported for many years. Further, it has been considereddesirable to design the pipe hanger so that it is relatively inexpensiveto manufacture and efficiently installed in order to reduce overallcosts. The pipe hangers, once installed, should also be easily releasedand adjusted so that the supported pipes can be removed, replaced, havetheir pitch adjusted, and the like with a minimum of labor.

The subject invention is deemed to overcome the above-noted problems andmeet these needs and others in a simple, economical manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided aself-locking, easily produced and easily installed pipe hanger.

In accordance with a more limited aspect of the invention, a pipereceiving member adapted for hanging an associated pipe from anassociated support structure includes a single loop of elastic wirehaving a configuration adapted to receive the associated pipe therein.First and second legs extend outwardly from a bight portion of the loopand each leg has means for engaging the other leg.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the first leg engagingmeans includes a first arcuate portion for operatively receiving thesecond leg therein.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a first arcuateportion on the second leg operatively receives the first leg therein.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, an interconnectingmeans is adapted for receipt between respective second arcuate portionson the first and second legs.

The principal advantage of the invention is a reliable and secure pipehanging assembly.

Another advantage of the invention resides in the self-locking featureprovided by the unitary member.

Yet another advantage resides in the easy and labor efficientmanufacture of the invention.

Still another advantage resides in the simplified installation of thedevice.

Still other advantages and benefits of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding ofthe following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangementsof parts. A preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail inthis specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings whichform a part hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the subject invention particularlyillustrating the support of an associated pipe;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pipe hanger componentsillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the lines 3--3 of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the unitary loop member in its normallyopen position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention only and not forpurposes of limiting same, the FIGURES show a generally continuous,single loop member of elastic wire A operatively associated with aninterconnecting member B. The interconnecting member, in turn, connectsto a spacing member or hanger rod C for supporting a tubular member orpipe D from a supporting structure E. The supporting structure may be amounting bracket or similar structure extending from a ceiling beam,floor joist or the like. The spacing member C is shown as an exteriorlyridged or threaded member having a first or upper end 10 operativelyengaged with the supporting structure. A second or lower end 12 isreceived in the interconnecting member B.

The interconnecting member B includes an elongated cylindrical portion14 having an interior smooth-walled region 16 that functions as a guidemeans as will become more apparent hereinbelow. An interior threadedregion 18 is adapted for operative connection with the second end 12 ofthe spacing member. A generally radially outward extending flange 20 isdefined at one end of the interconnecting member. The flange defines ashoulder or upper surface 22 having a generally planar conformation forreasons which will be described in greater detail below.

The unitary loop member A includes first and second legs 30, 32. Thelegs extend generally outwardly from a bight portion 34. The legs andbight portion define a generally U-shaped configuration adapted toreceive a tubular member or pipe D therein. The outer end portions ofthe respective legs are normally spaced from one another in anon-engaging position (see FIG. 4). More specifically, the first legincludes a first arcuate region 36 that extends away from a planegenerally defined by the bight portion and the first and second leg asshown in FIG. 4.

Similarly, a first arcuate portion 38 extends from the second leg 32.The arcuate port 38 extends generally normally from the plane defined bythe legs and bight portion in a direction opposite that of the arcuateportion 36. In this manner, the arcuate portions 36, 38 of the legs 30,32, respectively, are defined on opposite sides of the noted plane.further, each of the first arcuate portions 36, 38 are preferably ofgenerally semi-cylindrical configuration.

A second arcuate portion 46 is defined at the outermost end of the firstleg 30. In like manner, a second arcuate portion 48 is defined at theoutermost end of the second leg 32. The second arcuate portions 46, 48define engaging means or hook ends having a generally U-shapedconfiguration. The first and second arcuate portions of each leggenerally define a question mark configuration. A second arcuate portionof one leg is designed to receive the other leg therein and defines anengaging position as shown in FIGS. 1-3. More specifically, the secondarcuate portion 46 of the first leg 30 extends around the second leg 32.The second arcuate portion 46 is adapted to engage the second leg at aregion adjacent the merging area of the first arcuate portion 38 withthe remainder of the second leg. The second arcuate portion 48 of thesecond leg is adapted to retainingly engage the first leg 30 at a regionadjacent the merging area of the first arcuate portion 36 with theremainder of the first leg (FIG. 2).

The free state or non-engaging position of the wire loop member A isshown in FIG. 4. The following description details a preferred method oftransforming the loop member from the non-engaging position to theengaging position of FIGURE 2. The first and second legs are resilientlydeformed so that the arcuate portions of the respective legs bypass oneanother as generally shown by the arrows. Typically, the first arcuateportion 36 is directed from its original position on one side of theplane defined by the legs and bight portion to the other side of theplane. The first arcuate portion 38 of the second leg is likewisedirected from its original position on one side of the plane to theopposite side of the plane. The force necessary to accomplish thisresilient deformation should, of course, not exceed the elastic limit ofthe wire loop material.

Once the second arcuate portions 46, 48 are pushed past one another, thelegs 30, 32 are forced toward one another such that each second arcuateportion receives the opposed leg therein. For example, the secondarcuate portion 46 of the first leg generally slides along the peripheryof the first arcuate portion 38 of the second leg until it reaches themerging area of the first arcuate portion 38 with the remainder of thesecond leg. The engaging position of the wire loop A as a result of thisprocedure is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is clearly evident thatthe first arcuate portions 36, 38 define a generally circular openingtherebetween in the engaging position. The opening is adapted to receivethe cylindrical portion 14 of the interconnecting member B therethrough.In fact, the opening has a predetermined dimension slightly greater thanthe exterior dimension of the cylindrical portion 14 yet less than theouter peripheral dimension of the radial flange 20. This dimensionalrelationship permits the interconnecting member to be freely receivedthrough the opening in a generally axial direction until the shoulder 22abuttingly engages the wire loop member A. In this position, theinterconnecting member can be freely rotated in the opening defined bythe first arcuate portions.

Assembly of the pipe hanger proceeds as follows. The hanger rod C isthreadedly connected to the supporting structure E. The wire loop memberis positioned around a pipe D. If necessary, the legs 30, 32 may bespread apart to receive the pipe D therethrough. The engaging meansdefined by the second arcuate portions on each leg are positioned in theabove-described manner.

Once the second arcuate portions 46, 48 have retainingly hooked theopposite leg, the interconnecting member B, specifically cylindricalportion 14, is received in the opening defined by the first arcuateportions. The smooth-walled interior 16 guides the interconnectingmember over the second end 12 of the hanger rod. Interior threads 18engage the second end of the hanger rod and since the interconnectingmember is freely rotated within the opening of the wire loop member,secure connection is provided between these components.

A knurled region 50 is advantageously provided on the exterior surfaceof cylindrical portion 14 (FIG. 1). This knurled region facilitates easeof manual grasping of the interconnecting member B. An installer of thepipe hanger can thereby easily rotate the interconnecting memberrelative to the loop member and hanger rod C to secure the componentstogether or provide for vertical adjustment of the associated pipe.

The wire loop member A may also be rotated with respect to theinterconnecting member to assist in angular alignment of the pipe D. Thefirst arcuate portions 36, 38 cooperate with the shoulder 22 of theinterconnecting member while the bight portion 34 supports the tubularmember D therein. As is apparent in FIG. 1, the first arcuate portion 38of the second leg abuttingly engages shoulder 22. The semicircularconfiguration of the arcuate portion 38 provides an adequate abuttingsurface for stable mating contact with shoulder 22.

The pipe hanger assembly provides a unitary wire loop member in whichrespective legs are adapted to interconnect with the opposing leg. Thispermits the wire loop to be positioned around the pipe and aninstaller's hands are thereafter free to position the interconnectingmember B between the first arcuate portions 36, 38. The wire loop memberprovides support for the pipe and is adjustable both vertically andangularly with respect to the remainder of the supporting structure.Further, the wire or rod design of the loop member A is easily bent intoits predetermined configuration. This, of course, reduces manufacturingcosts and the simplified installation, in turn, reduces installationlabor costs.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur toothers upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It isintended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar asthey come within the scope of the apended claims or the equivalentsthereof.

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:
 1. A hangerassembly adapted for suspension from an associated support structurehaving a spacing member, said hanger assembly comprising:(a) aninterconnecting member having an outwardly extending shoulder and meansfor operatively engaging an associated spacing member; (b) a loop memberhaving first and second leg portions extending from a central bightportion for supporting an associated pipe, said leg portions havingouter ends spaced from one another in a normal, unflexed position andlockingly engaging the other leg portion in a flexed position, each legportion having: (i) a first arcuate region cooperating to define meansfor receiving said interconnecting member; and (ii) a second arcuateregion adjacent said first arcuate region, said second arcuate regionadapted to engage the other leg portion in said flexed, locked position;said receiving means adapted to rotatably receive said interconnectingmember therein and abuttingly engage said interconnecting membershoulder.
 2. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said firstand second arcuate regions generally define a question markconfiguration.
 3. A pipe hanger member adapted for suspending anassociated pipe from an associated pipe structure, said pipe hangermember comprising:a single continuous loop of wire having a generallyU-shaped central bight portion; a first leg portion extending outwardlyfrom one side of said bight portion; a second leg portion extendingoutwardly from another side of said bight portion; first meansintegrally defined on said first leg portion for selectivelyinterlocking said first leg portion directly to said second leg portion;second means integrally defined on said second leg portion forselectively interlocking said second leg portion directly to said firstleg portion; said first and second interlocking means including a firstgenerally arcuate region defined on each leg portion; and, a secondarcuate region defined on each leg portion adjacent said first arcuateregion, said second arcuate regions adapted to engage the other legportion.